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For over 30 years, this building has not only been a familiar landmark for Hanoi residents but also an integral part of the city center's soul. However, now that the decision to demolish the building has been approved, many people feel a sense of regret at the disappearance of a part of their memories.
According to the latest information from the Hanoi People's Committee, the Ham Ca Map building will be demolished before April 30, 2025, to serve urban planning, expand the traffic square, and improve connectivity between the Old Quarter and the Ho Guom area. This decision comes as the city is implementing plans to renovate public spaces, aiming for a more modern and harmonious urban landscape.
According to the Hanoi Department of Planning and Architecture, after the demolition of the "Shark's Jaw" structure, the nearly 500 m² area will be used to create an open space connecting the surrounding streets. This is expected to help alleviate traffic congestion and restore a more open and airy landscape to the city center.
A sea of people flocked to Shark's Mouth.
Thousands of people flocked to check in at Shark's Jaw.
Preserve the moment before Shark Jaws becomes just a memory.
Many young people take the opportunity to check in and take photos to preserve memories of the Shark's Jaw area. But it's not just the youth; even those from the older generation – those who have been connected to Hanoi since the 1990s – come here as a way to say goodbye. Although this urban planning may bring many long-term benefits to the city, for many, it still leaves a sense of regret. They remember their youth, their dates on the high floors with panoramic views of Ho Guom Lake, and the afternoons spent sipping coffee and watching the people go by on the streets below.
Mr. Huan, a resident of Hanoi, shared: "Hearing that the Shark's Jaw Monument is about to be dismantled, my whole family came to the city to take pictures. I want to preserve the memory, and my grandchildren want to have a piece of their childhood memories. This is my favorite spot around Ho Guom Lake; every time I come to the city, all I think about is the Shark's Jaw Monument."
Uncle Nguyen Ngoc Huan and his granddaughter blended into the crowd.
Since the announcement of the demolition of the Shark's Jaws structure, the area around Ho Guom Lake has become more bustling than ever. Every weekend, the pedestrian street is overwhelmed with thousands of people flocking there to enjoy the last moments with this iconic building. The place where music events and weekend festivals are usually held will soon have no beautiful view to enjoy.
Many cafe and restaurant owners in the building also expressed regret. While acknowledging that urban planning is an inevitable part of development, the loss of a familiar business location, an iconic landmark that had built their brand over many years, is still difficult to accept. The demolition of the "Shark's Mouth" building is part of the city's ongoing transformation. Hanoi, like any other city, always needs innovation to adapt to development. But alongside that, solutions are also needed to preserve the city's cultural and historical values.
Perhaps what many people regret is not just the loss of a building, but the feeling of losing a part of their memory. The Shark's Jaws building, while perhaps not a centuries-old structure like the Turtle Tower or Ngoc Son Temple, is still a part of Hanoi's history during the transformative period of the 1990s, a time when the city began to see the emergence of its first modern buildings.
People check in at Shark's Jaw.
The Shark's Jaw Building, constructed in the 1990s, is located right in Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square by Ho Guom Lake. With its unique architecture, featuring a protruding section resembling a shark's jaw, this building quickly became one of Hanoi's most prominent landmarks at the time.
When it first appeared, Shark's Jaws was considered one of the most modern buildings in the heart of Hanoi. The cafes and restaurants on the upper floors offered stunning views of Ho Guom Lake – home to the ancient Turtle Tower, the vibrant The Huc Bridge, and the sacred Ngoc Son Temple. Hanoi residents, domestic and international tourists often came here to enjoy a cup of coffee and experience the peaceful atmosphere amidst the bustling city.
More than just a culinary and entertainment destination, Shark's Jaw is also a place associated with memories for many generations. It's a place for couples to have dates, for friends to chat lively, and for people to come and admire Hanoi from a unique perspective. Gradually, Shark's Jaw has become more than just an architectural structure; it has become a part of the city's and people's memories.
More than just a culinary and entertainment destination, Shark's Mouth is also a place associated with memories for many generations.
Later, when the building is no more, the memories will remain in the minds of those who were once connected to it. The check-in photos, the stories told, the recollections of days spent sitting on the balcony of the Shark Fin Building overlooking Ho Guom Lake… all will become a part of urban history.
Despite the regrets, the people of Hanoi will continue to embrace the changes in their beloved city. Perhaps in the future, another structure will rise, bringing with it new memories and new imprints of a constantly evolving Hanoi. In the flow of time, architectural structures come and go, but memories will forever remain in everyone's minds. The "Shark's Jaw" building may be gone, but the image of a bustling street corner where people once sipped coffee and gazed at Ho Guom Lake will always be remembered with pride and nostalgia.
And no matter what, Hanoi remains Hanoi – a city that always knows how to reconcile the past and the future, nostalgia and innovation.
